Top Non-Zoo Animal Encounters of South Florida

Monroe

1) Bahia Honda State Park: A perfect spot for people who are into observing marine life up close and personal. You can spot reef fish, barracudas, rays, and, if you are lucky, even nurse shark.

2) Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Another gem for wildlife enthusiasts, you can expect to see Key Largo Woodrat, Burmese Python, as well as several varieties of feral and free range cats. 

3) Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park: The botanical park serves as an important habitat for the threatened Key Largo Cotton Mouse, and the Key Largo Woodrat. 

4) Dry Tortugas National Park: Accessible only by seaplane or a boat ride, this Park is a bird watcher's delight. There are as many as 299 species of birds found here, with sooty tern, brown pelican, brown noddy being some of the most prominent sightings. 

5) National Key Deer Refuge: The refuge houses an old quarry, called the Blue Hole, which is the biggest freshwater body within the Keys. Sporting an observation platform as well as a walking trail, tourists and locals alike may appreciate the alligators, the key deer, turtles, birds and other wildlife which can be seen. 

6) Sheriff's Animal Farm:  Located at the police headquarters in Key West, this unique location is home to rescued exotics animals like an albino python, peacocks, many tropical birds, a Llama, Patagonian Cavies and African Spurred Tortoises. Call ahead to make sure they are taking visitors.